The McDonough County Board and the McDonough County Emergency Services and Disaster Agency (ESDA) have announced a burn ban in all unincorporated areas of the county. The ban, enacted under the recently adopted McDonough County Open Burning Ordinance, aims to protect public health, safety, and property.
Effective Monday, open burning is prohibited on all property in unincorporated McDonough County until further notice. The restriction applies to property owners, tenants, and agents.
Violators face fines of $250 for the first offense and $500 for each subsequent violation. Each day a violation occurs counts as a separate offense.
The burn ban was first instituted earlier this summer at the request of Sheriff Nick Petitgout, who raised concerns about enforcing state emergency guidelines.
According to the National Weather Service, McDonough County has received just 0.11 inches of rain since late July, contributing to the heightened fire risk.
